Deep structure of the Mediterranean Basin

Caputo, Michèle; Panza, G. F.; Postpischl, D.

doi:10.1029/jb075i026p04919

Cited by 168 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The low dipping angle of the Hyblean foreland (Doglioni et al, 2001 and references therein) and the absence of deep seismicity beneath the Western Aeolian arc (Caputo et al, 1970;1972) suggest slab breakoff on the west of the Tindari-Letoianni fault. This implies detachment and foundering into the mantle of the Hyblean slab beneath the Etna volcanic zone.…”

Section: Aeolian Arc and Etna Co 2 Emissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbonate metasomatism and CO2 lithosphere–asthenosphere degassing beneath the Western Mediterranean: An integrated model arising from petrological and geophysical data

2009

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We present an integrated petrological, geochemical, and geophysical model that offers an explanation for the present-day anomalously high non-volcanic deep (mantle derived) CO 2 emission in the Tyrrhenian region. We investigate how decarbonation or melting of carbonate-rich lithologies from a subducted lithosphere may affect the efficiency of carbon release in the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. We propose that melting of sediments and/or continental crust of the subducted Adriatic-Ionian (African) lithosphere at pressure greater than 4 GPa (130 km) may represent an efficient mean for carbon cycling into the upper mantle and into the exosphere in the Western Mediterranean area. Melting of carbonated lithologies, induced by the progressive rise of mantle temperatures behind the eastward retreating Adriatic-Ionian subducting plate, generates low fractions of carbonate-rich (hydrous-silicate) melts. Due to their low density and viscosity, such melts can migrate upward through the mantle, forming a carbonated partially molten CO 2 -rich mantle recorded by tomographic images in the depth range from 130 to 60 km. Upwelling in the mantle of carbonate-rich melts to depths less than 60 -70 km, induces massive outgassing of CO 2 . Buoyancy forces, probably favored by fluid overpressures, are able to allow migration of CO 2 from the mantle to the surface, through deep lithospheric faults, and its accumulation beneath the Moho and within the lower crust. The present model may also explain CO 2 enrichment of the Etna active volcano. Deep CO 2 cycling is tentatively quantified in terms of conservative carbon mantle flux in the investigated area. IntroductionThe role of Earth degassing in present-day global carbon budget and consequent climate effects has been focused chiefly on volcanic emissions (e.g. Gerlach, 1991a;Varekamp and Thomas, 1998, Kerrick, 2001). The non-volcanic 1 escape of CO 2 from the upper mantle, from crustal carbonate rocks, from hydrocarbon accumulations, and from geothermal fields is not considered in the budgets of natural release processes (cf. IPCC reports). However, the impact of these processes on atmospheric CO 2 budget is relevant if considered at the regional scale.Italy constitutes an extraordinary example of massive CO 2 subaerial fluxes in the Western Mediterranean region (e.g. Chiodini et al., 1999Chiodini et al., , 2004Rogie et al., 2000;Chiodini and Frondini 2001;Minissale, 2004). In Italy, CO 2 emissions occur both in those areas of young or active volcanism (e.g. the Tyrrhenian border of Central Italy; Fig. 1), and at zones in which there is no evidence of magmatic activity, such as Central and Southern Apennines (Fig. 1).Interactions between magmas and carbonate rocks at walls of magma chambers locally contribute CO 2 in some recent and active volcanic zones (e.g., Alban Hills, Mt. Ernici, Vesuvius;Federico and Peccerillo, 2002; Iacono Marziano et al., 2007a, b). However, the bulk of present-day soil degassing in Italy is a regional feature affecting both volcanic areas and z...

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Section: Aeolian Arc and Etna Co 2 Emissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbonate metasomatism and CO2 lithosphere–asthenosphere degassing beneath the Western Mediterranean: An integrated model arising from petrological and geophysical data

2009

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“…In particular in the Apennines subduction, the several hundreds kilometers deep seismicity is concentrated in the southeastern Tyrrhenian sea ŽPeterschmitt, 1956;Caputo et al, 1970Caputo et al, , 1972Sel-. vaggi and Chiarabba, 1995 .…”

Section: Lithospheric Properties and Geometry Of Subduction Zonesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orogens and slabs vs. their direction of subduction

Doglioni

Harabaglia

Merlini

et al. 1999

Earth-Science Reviews

297

198

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“…1). A steep (60-70°) NWdipping Benioff zone has been recognized below the arc on the basis of the distribution of intermediate-and deep-earthquake hypocenters (Caputo et al, 1970;Barberi et al, 1974;Scandone, 1982;Boccaletti et al, 1984;Beccaluva et al, 1985;Patacca et al, 1990;Mantovani et al, 1996). The active deep seismicity is limited to the eastern branch of the arc, whereas it is absent beneath the western islands, and the Tindari-Letojanni-Malta escarpment transcurrent fault divides the two different tectonic regimes ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%